wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has also been viewed 348,110 times.
Learn more...

In Amsterdam they may say "Ik hou van je." In Paris, they most certainly say "Je t'aime." In Albania, they'll say "Te dua," and in Zulu, "Ngiyakuthanda!" It's the phrase we know as "I love you," and this is how you can say it in American Sign Language (ASL).

Steps

Method1

Signing "I Love You"

1

Point to yourself.

2

Make a gentle fist with both hands, and cross them over your heart as if you're hugging somebody close.

3

Point to your loved one.

4

Put the steps together all at once, and say, “I love you!”

Method2

Signing "I Love You" Alternatively

1

Make a fist. Don’t make it too tight, and smile when you do it—you’re about to tell somebody something wonderful.

2

Lift up your pinky finger. This creates the sign language symbol for the personal pronoun "I.”

3

Lift up your index finger. This would resemble horns with the two fingers. Unless you’re ready to rock, move quickly to the next step!

4

Lift up your thumb. The index finger and thumb create the letter "L," and the pinky finger in concert with the thumb creates the "Y.”

The name Mary is finger spelled by putting your thumb between your pinky and ring finger “M”, then close your fist and have your thumb next to your index finger “A”, the “R” is made by crossing your middle and index finger. Finally “Y” is made by sticking out your thumb and pinky. It should look like the letter “Y”.

To make “I love you” in sign language, start by pointing to yourself. Next, make a gentle fist with both hands and cross them over your heart as if you’re hugging someone. Then, point to the person you are talking about. An alternative way to sign “I love you” is to make a gentle fist, smile, and lift up your pinky finger, index finger, and thumb. To learn the subtle differences between the two signs for "I love you," keep reading!

Did this summary help you?

Made Recently

Article Info

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has also been viewed 348,110 times.